Multilayered waterproof moisture management athletic garments

ABSTRACT

A water proof moisture management garment and a method of constructing such a garment in accordance with the present invention utilizes at least three layers. An outer layer may comprise a stretch woven textile treated with a durable water repellant finish. The outer layer may be micro-perforated to permit perspiration to evaporate through the micro-perforations. An inner layer may comprise a moisture management textile to facilitate the transport of perspiration away from the skin of a wearer. An intermediate layer may bond the outer layer to the inner layer. The intermediate layer may provide holes to permit the evaporation of perspiration from the inner layer through the micro-perforations of the outer layer.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application having U.S. application Ser. No. 15/218,693, filed Jul.25, 2016, and entitled “Multilayered Waterproof Moisture ManagementAthletic Garments,” is a continuation application of U.S. applicationSer. No. 13/612,279, filed Sep. 12, 2012, and entitled “MultilayeredWaterproof Moisture Management Athletic Garments,” which claims thebenefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/533,611, filed Sep. 12,2011, entitled “Multilayered Waterproof Moisture Management AthleticGarments.” The entireties of the aforementioned applications areincorporated by reference herein.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to moisture management garments. Moreparticularly, the present invention relates to multilayered water proofmoisture management garments, particularly for use in athletic trainingand/or competition.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Athletic competition and training often requires an individual to engagein strenuous activity out of doors during inclement weather. An athletetraining or competing during rain, for example, may prefer and evenbenefit from protection from precipitation, but that same athlete maysuffer discomfort or even performance consequences from overheating anddiscomfort due to accumulated perspiration if they wear typical waterprotection gear that traps perspiration inside the garment in additionto keeping precipitation outside of the garment. Unfortunately, mostapparel that protects a wearer's skin from precipitation also tends totrap that wearer's perspiration within the garment, thereby requiring anathlete to choose between prioritizing protection from precipitation andprioritizing moisture management.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides protection from precipitation or otherambient moisture while also providing moisture management byfacilitating the evaporation of perspiration from a wearer, such as anathlete engaged in training or competition. In accordance with thepresent invention, a garment may comprise either an outer layer garmentor a base layer garment. Alternatively, a garment in accordance with thepresent invention may be worn as part of multiple layers of garments. Agarment may comprise water resistant outer layer with optional zonedvapor permeability. Water resistance of an outer layer may be providedby inherent properties of a textile or by appropriate treatment of anotherwise non-water resistant textile. The outer layer may, for example,comprise a knit or woven textile treated with a durable water repellant(DWR) finish to provide water resistance, with vapor permeabilityprovided, for example, by micro-perforations formed through the textile.The micro-perforations in the water resistant outer layer may be made ina predetermined configuration to provide zonal vapor permeability, withsome regions of the garment having greater vapor permeability thanothers if desired. Additionally and/or alternatively, vapor permeabilitymay be created by selecting appropriate knit and/or weave properties ofthe outer layer to provide a desired degree of vapor permeability. Thegarment may further comprise an inner layer, which may provide moisturemanagement properties, if desired. The inner layer may comprise amoisture management fabric to facilitate the transmission ofperspiration across the fabric layer from the wearer's skin to theexternal side of the inner layer, although any type of textile may beused for inner layer. If moisture management properties are desired, theinner layer may comprise any type of moisture management fabric.Examples of appropriate moisture management fabrics are fabrics thatfacilitate the movement of perspiration using capillary action, denierdifferential mechanisms, or other processes. The inner layer and theouter layer may be joined using an intermediate layer, which may be awater resistant or water proof film or a water proof breathable film,such as a PTFE film. The intermediate layer may have a plurality ofholes to enhance vapor transport from the inner layer through a vaporpermeable portion of the outer layer at locations of the garment whereenhance breathability is desired. For example, the adhesive layer maycomprise a grid of adhesive material in a predetermined configuration toform holes or voids corresponding to at least a portion of a pluralityof micro-perforations in the outer layer. Alternatively, intermediatelayer may comprise a PTFE film, which provides at least some inherentvapor permeability, with an adhesive applied to one or both sides of thePTFE film. Such a PTFE film may have its breathability further enhancedby forming holes at selected locations. Accordingly, in one example,when a garment is assembled from these three layers, vapor and/orperspiration may move away from the skin of an athlete through the innerlayer, through the holes of the intermediate layer, and then exit themicro-perforations or inherently open structure of the outer layer,while rain or other precipitation will first encounter the outer layer,which may have water resistant properties, for example either due to itsconstruction or a DWR finish, with an intermediate layer that maypossess further water resistant or water proof properties underlying theouter layer. The micro-perforations in the outer layer may be of a size,such as 0.5 millimeters in diameter, that permits water vapor toevaporate through the micro-perforation but that substantially preventsliquid water entering the garment through the micro-perforation. Holesin the intermediate layer and/or micro-perforations in the outer layermay be positioned relative to one another and/or on the finished garmentto provide a desired amount of water protection versus vaporpermeability at different locations of the garment. In this way, agarment constructed in accordance with the present invention may provideprotection from precipitation while also allowing an athlete to regulatehis or her body temperature appropriately by permitting the evaporationof perspiration through the garment.

Methods in accordance with the present invention may be used tofabricate a water resistant and vapor permeable garment with optionalperformance zoning. Methods in accordance with the present invention maycomprise steps such as preparing a water resistant outer layeroptionally having microperforations or other zoned vapor permeability,preparing an intermediate layer with holes, preparing an inner layer,aligning the layers, which may involve aligning at least some of theholes of the intermediate layer with at least a portion of themicro-perforations of the outer layer, bonding the outer layer to theinner layer using the intermediate layer, and joining the resultingmulti-layered piece with other pieces to form a garment.

This section provides a general summary of the disclosure, and is not acomprehensive disclosure of its full scope or all its features. Furtherareas of applicability will become apparent from the descriptionprovided herein. The description and specific examples of the summaryare intended for purposes of illustration only and are not intended tolimit the scope of the present disclosure.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING

The drawings described herein are for illustrative purposes only ofselected examples and not all possible implementations, and are notintended to limit the scope of the present disclosure.

FIG. 1 illustrates the layers of a garment in accordance with thepresent invention in exploded form.

FIG. 2 illustrates a cross-section of the layers of a garment inaccordance with the present invention in exploded form.

FIG. 3 illustrates a cross-section of the layers of a garment inaccordance with the present invention.

FIG. 4 illustrates an example of a method of constructing a garment inaccordance with the present invention.

FIG. 5 illustrates examples of garments in accordance with the presentinvention.

FIG. 6 illustrates a further method in accordance with the presentinvention.

FIG. 7 illustrates examples of directionally oriented micro-perforationsthat may be used in garments in accordance with the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Garments in accordance with the present invention may provide a desiredamount of water resistance and vapor permeability, with the amount ofwater resistance versus vapor permeability being capable of varying atdifferent locations of the garment. Accordingly, garments in accordancewith the present invention may effectively protect the wearer fromfalling precipitation while still permitting vapor escape.

Referring now to FIG. 1, examples of layers 100 of a garment inaccordance with the present invention are illustrated. Outer layer 110,which may be a water resistant layer, may comprise a textile that hasbeen treated or constructed to possess water repellant properties. Outerlayer 110 may comprise, for example, a stretch woven textile formed ofany type of fiber treated with a durable water repellant finish. Whetherworn as an outer layer or a base layer, a stretch woven textile with aDWR finish will possess desirable durability and abrasion resistance.However, any type of knitted or woven textile may be used for outerlayer. Outer layer 110 may have formed therein a plurality ofmicro-perforations 112 to provide vapor permeability, although othermethods may be used to provide vapor permeability, such as knit and/orweave selection. The plurality of micro-perforations 112 may be arrangedin a predetermined configuration. While FIG. 1 illustrates one exampleof one configuration of micro-perforations in groups 114 evenlydistributed over outer layer 110, other configurations and/orarrangements of micro-perforations may be used. For example, the densityof micro-perforations may vary at different locations in a predeterminedfashion based, for example, on the amount of vapor permeability andwater resistance desired at a given location of a garment. For example,micro-perforations may be larger and/or more numerous per unit area inzones of the garment where higher vapor permeability is desired than inzones where less vapor permeability is desired. Each group 114 ofmicro-perforations illustrated in FIG. 1 are arranged in a substantiallycircular fashion, with each group 114 of micro-perforations having alocation in a larger regularly spaced grid of circles ofmicro-perforations. However, other configurations of micro-perforationsare within the scope of the present invention. For example,micro-perforations need not be grouped at all, or may be grouped indifferent numbers and/or shapes. Further, the spacing ofmicro-perforations and/or groups of micro-perforations may vary over agarment, as may the size and/or shape of the micro-perforations and/orgroups of micro-perforations.

Still referring to FIG. 1, an inner layer 130 may comprise a moisturemanagement textile, although any type of textile may be used. The innerlayer may comprise a knit textile of polyester or any other type offiber. One example of an appropriate selection of moisture managementtextile 130 are textiles that utilize capillary action to move moisturefrom one side of the textile to the other side of the textile. Anotherexample of an appropriate selection of moisture management textile 130are textiles constructed with layers having different denier values tocreate a denier differential from one face of the textile to the otherface of the textile that facilitates the movement of moisture across thetextile. In some instances, a moisture management textile 130 mayprimarily transfer moisture in a single direction, in which case agarment in accordance with the present invention the moisture managementtextile may be oriented to transport moisture toward the outer layer 110when assembled.

Between outer layer 110 and inner layer 130 is intermediate layer 120,which may comprise an adhesive layer. Intermediate layer 120 may, forexample, comprise a heat activated adhesive film that will bond theouter layer 110 to the inner layer 130 when appropriate heat andpressure are applied to the assembled three layers. One example ofsuitable adhesive films that may be used as intermediate layers areadhesive films available from the Bemis Company.Additionally/alternatively, intermediate layer 120 may comprise a waterproof and breathable material, such as a PTFE film, which may have anadhesive applied on one or both sides of the film to facilitateconstruction as described herein. Intermediate layer 120 may providewater resistance and/or water proof properties where present beneathouter layer 110, as well as enhancing the structural strength of anassembled garment. Intermediate layer 120 may further possess varyingdegrees of tackiness on one or both faces of the intermediate layer 120to facilitate the assembly of the layers of the garment prior toapplying heat and pressure to activate any adhesive provided inintermediate layer 120 and bond the outer layer 110 to inner layer 130.Intermediate layer 120 may be formed to possess a plurality of holes 126that correspond to at least a portion of the plurality ofmicro-perforations 112 formed in outer layer 110 when the layers 100 arefully assembled. In the example illustrated in FIG. 1, thisconfiguration is achieved by, for example, die cutting a plurality ofholes 126 in a substantially grid-like fashion in intermediate layer120, thereby leaving a plurality of horizontal sections 122 and aplurality of vertical sections 124 to form the bond between outer layer110 and inner layer 130. While the example of FIG. 1 illustratesplurality of holes 126 as being substantially square and repeating in aregular fashion, other shapes and/or spacings of holes are within thescope of the present invention. For example, fewer or even no holes maybe provided for areas of a garment likely to require a high amount ofstrength and/or water proofness, such as for a hood or shoulder areawhere precipitation is particularly likely to strike. The presence of aplurality of holes 126 creates sections of an assembled garment fromlayers 100 where outer layer 110 is not bonded to inner layer 130, suchthat at least a portion of micro-perforations 112 may permitperspiration transported through inner layer 130 to evaporate, therebyassisting the wearer in regulating his or her temperature.

Referring now to FIG. 2, a cross-section of layers 100 is illustrated tofurther depict an example of the present invention. Inner layer 130possesses both a skin facing side 133 and an outer facing side 131.Particularly for use in base layer garments, inner layer 130 mayoptionally, possess moisture management properties. Whether a moisturemanagement inner layer 130 transports moisture via capillary action,denier differential mechanisms, or other mechanisms, perspiration willbe moved from skin facing side 133 to outer facing side 131 of innerlayer 130. The plurality of holes 126 formed in intermediate layer 120provide openings for perspiration to evaporate from inner layer 130through outer layer 110 via the micro-perforations 112.

Still referring to FIG. 2, outer layer 110 may have an outer face 111and an inner face 113. A water resistant treatment, such as a DWRfinish, may be applied to only outer face 111 or to both outer face 111and inner face 113. While water resistant treatment may be applied toonly inner face 113, such an approach could permit outer layer 110 toabsorb some moisture and thereby increase the weight of a garment uponthe athlete.

Still referring to FIG. 2, intermediate layer 120 may possess an innerface 123 and an outer face 121. It should be noted that in the exampleillustrated in FIG. 2, a cross-section of intermediate layer 120 isillustrated to indicate some of the plurality of holes 126, therebyrevealing only a portion of the intersecting grid of sections ofadhesive layer 120 illustrated in FIG. 1. One or both of outer face 121and inner face 123 may be sufficiently tacky to be temporarily or evenpermanently engaged to either outer layer 110 or inner layer 130 duringgarment assembly. For example, outer face 121 of intermediate layer 120may comprise a PTFE film with a glue or other adhesive applied to it sothat intermediate layer 120 may be initially adhered to outer layer 110to assure that holes 126 of intermediate layer 120 are appropriatelyaligned with at least a portion of the plurality of micro-perforations112 in outer layer 110. Holes 126 must be aligned with at least aportion of micro-perforations 112 to permit perspiration transportedthrough moisture management inner layer 130 and other vapor to evaporatethrough micro-perforations 112 of outer layer 110 to enhance the comfortand performance of the wearer. Optionally, outer layer 110 may have aplurality of micro-perforations 112 with only a subset of that pluralityof micro-perforations 112 corresponding to the plurality of holes 126 ofintermediate layer 120. Such an approach would facilitate theconstruction of a garment in accordance with the present invention bysimplifying the alignment of the holes of the intermediate layer 120with the micro-perforations of the outer layer 110, but could alsorequire a larger number of micro-perforations in outer layer 110 toensure that at least some micro-perforations are aligned with holes 126.

Referring now to FIG. 3, the assembled layers 100 are illustrated. Asshown in FIG. 3, outer layer 110 has been bound to inner layer 130 usingintermediate layer 120 as an adhesive. Heat and pressure may be appliedto layers 100 to form a bond between outer layer 110 and inner layer 130using adhesives provided with intermediate layer 120. As illustrated inFIG. 3, the plurality of micro-perforations 122 are aligned with theplurality of holes 126 to permit perspiration to move across inner layer130 through holes 126 and to evaporate through micro-perforations 112,as indicated by perspiration movement arrow 302. However, the waterresistance, such as durable water resistance treatment, applied to outerlayer 110 prevents rain or other precipitation from moving past outerlayer 110, as indicated by precipitation movement arrow 304.Micro-perforations 112 may be of a variety of sizes, dimensions, andspacings, but if the micro-perforations 112 are sufficiently small, suchas having a diameter of approximately 0.5 millimeters, suchmicro-perforations 112 will not permit liquid water to penetrate throughouter layer 110 in any substantial amount. Accordingly, the layers ofgarment illustrated in FIG. 3 permit perspiration to evaporate from theskin of a wearer, as indicated by arrow 302, while preventingprecipitation from reaching the skin of a wearer, as indicated by arrow304.

Referring now to FIG. 4, a method 400 of constructing a water proofmoisture management garment in accordance with the present invention isillustrated. Method 400 begins by applying a durable water repellanttreatment to an outer layer. The outer layer of a garment in accordancewith the present invention may, for example, comprise a stretch wovenfabric. In step 420, the outer layer may be micro-perforated in apredetermined configuration. The predetermined configuration ofmicro-perforations applied in step 420 may permit at least a portion ofthe micro-perforations to receive evaporated perspiration through theother layers of the garment, as previously described. In step 430, anadhesive intermediate layer may be prepared with a grid geometrycorresponding with the predetermined configuration ofmicro-perforations. As described above, the geometry of the adhesiveintermediate layer may provide holes that correspond to at least aportion of the micro-perforations of the outer layer. As also describedabove, not all micro-perforations in the outer layer need correspond toa hole in the adhesive intermediate layer. In step 440, a moisturemanaging inner layer may be prepared. One example of an appropriatemoisture management layer is DRI-FIT textiles used in clothing sold byNike, Inc. The inner layer may comprise a knit fabric that transportsmoisture from an inner skin facing side to an outer face via capillaryaction, denier differential mechanisms, or any other process. In step450, the outer layer may be bonded to the inner layer using the adhesiveintermediate layer. Step 450 may comprise applying heat and pressure tothe stacked layers to activate the adhesive intermediate layer. Step 450may be facilitated by a substep of using one or more tacky sides of theadhesive intermediate layer to temporarily affix the adhesiveintermediate layer to one or both of the outer layer and the innerlayer. For example, one face of the adhesive intermediate layer may havea glue applied to it that will permit the adhesive intermediate layer tobe temporarily adhered to the outer layer, for example after a backinghas been removed to expose the glue. Such a temporary application mayfacilitate the alignment of holes in the adhesive intermediate layerwith at least a portion of the plurality of micro-perforations in theouter layer. Once the holes of the adhesive intermediate layer areappropriately aligned with the micro-perforations of the outer layer, amoisture management textile comprising the inner layer may bepositioned, and then the entire assembly may be treated using a heatpress.

The steps illustrated in FIG. 4 may be performed in different orders orsimultaneously. Further, additional steps may be added to the methodwithout departing from the scope of the present invention. For example,additional steps of cutting, stitching, and joining portions of agarment may be added without departing from the scope of the presentinvention.

Referring now to FIG. 5, example of garments 500 in accordance with thepresent invention are illustrated. In the example of FIG. 5, wearer 505may be an athlete or other individual, and may be participating inathletic training and/or competition during inclement weather. Garments500 may comprise, but need not be limited to, an upper garment 510 and alower garment 520. In the example of FIG. 5, upper garment 510 comprisesa hooded shirt, while lower garment 520 comprises pants. Upper garment510 may provide one or more of a hood 511, a shoulder section 512, achest section 513, arm sections 514, a mid section 515, an underarmsection 516, and a side section 517. Lower garment 520 may provide oneor more of a waist section 521, a hip section 522, a thigh section 523,a crotch section 524, a knee section 525, a lower leg section 526, andan ankle section 527. Of course, garments in accordance with the presentinvention may cover additional sections of a wearer's body and/or fewersections of a wearer's body. As explained herein, different sections ofa garment may fact different exposures to precipitation and/or havedifferent vapor permeability needs.

FIG. 5 further illustrates the zonal attributes possible for garments inaccordance with the present invention. For example, if an athlete 505 iswearing garments 500 during rain, the wearer 505 may particularly desireprotection from water falling from above while still desiringventilation for purposes of evaporating perspiration in areas of his orher body less likely to be impacted by falling precipitation.Accordingly, vapor permeable zones 530 may provide the highest degree ofvapor permeability of a garment, for example, by providingmicro-perforations corresponding, at least in part, to holes of anunderlying intermediate layer, as further described herein. Such a vaporpermeable zone 530 would still provide resistance to water, but wouldpermit the ready evaporation of perspiration from inside the garment510, 520. Even if an outer layer of a garment has a limited degree ofvapor permeability prior to the forming of micro-perforations, theformation of micro-perforations in a zone 530 may enhance thebreathability and vapor permeability of particular zones of a garmentwherein perspiration may be anticipated to be greatest and/or the riskof becoming wet due to precipitation is lowest.

An intermediate breathability section 540 may comprise, for example, oneor more regions of a garment wherein an intermediate layer stillprovides holes to permit a limited amount of vapor permeability throughan outer layer without forming micro-perforations in that outer layer.An intermediate vapor permeability region 540 may, for example,correspond to areas of a garment that, when worn, may benefit from adegree of breathability and are not subjected to the most extreme riskof becoming wet due to precipitation, etc., but that would still benefitfrom enhanced water resistance.

A third highly water resistant area 550 may be formed, for example, atthe regions of a garment for which maximum water resistance is desired.For example, a highly water resistant region 550 may be located at theshoulders, head, thigh, or other areas of a garment that may reasonablybe anticipated to experience the greatest contact from fallingprecipitation. Zones 550 may be formed from a water resistant outerlayer with no additional micro-perforation, an intermediate layer withno holes provided, and, optionally, an inner layer that may possessmoisture management properties or otherwise provide comfortableskin-facing contact. In this fashion, a desired amount of vaporpermeability may be attained in regions of a garment requiring a degreeof water resistance but less than other areas of a garment. Meanwhile,areas of a garment requiring a high degree of water proofness may have acorrespondingly high degree of resistance to penetration by water. Byvarying the number of holes in an adhesive layer, the size of holes inan adhesive layer, the size and amount of micro-perforations formed inan outer layer, the arrangement of holes and correspondingmicro-perforations, and/or the moisture transporting properties of aninner layer, the desired properties of a garment may be achieved in away that varies at different locations of a garment. Properties desiredin a garment in accordance with the present invention may vary basedupon the type of garment, the type of activity to be engaged in whilewearing the garment, the preferences of a person wearing the garment,etc.

Referring now to FIG. 6, a method 600 in accordance with the presentinvention for constructing a water resistant and vapor permeable garmentis illustrated. In step 610, an outer layer may be prepared. The outerlayer prepared in step 610 may be, for example, a woven or knit textilepossessing water resistance. Step 610 may involve sub-steps such astreating a knit or woven textile with a durable water repellant, forminga textile of inherently water resistant fibers, and cutting or otherwiseforming a water repellant layer to a desired size and shape. In step620, micro-perforations may optionally be formed through the outer layerin a desired pattern. Step 620 may be omitted if the knit, weave, orother characteristics of the outer layer prepared in step 610 providessufficient vapor permeability for the garment intended to be constructedvia method 600. The forming of micro-perforations in step 620 may beaccomplished in a variety of ways, such as through use of a laser, aphysical cutting press or die, or any other methodology. As explainedfurther below, step 620 may form one or more micro-perforations with adirectional quality to further facilitate in providing desired vaporpermeability of the resulting garment while orienting themicro-perforation in a fashion that may resist penetration by water,such as falling precipitation.

In step 630, an intermediate layer may be prepared. Step 630 may formholes that, when the garment is assembled, will correspond to at leastsome of the micro-perforations optionally formed in step 620, if suchmicro-perforations were indeed formed. The intermediate layer preparedin step 630 may, for example, comprise a water proof or water resistantfilm that will provide additional water resistance and/or strength andphysical integrity to the assembled garment. Step 630 may involvecutting or otherwise forming an intermediate layer to a size and shapedesired for the assembly process, such as corresponding roughly to thesize and shape of the outer layer prepared in step 610. Holes may beformed by any appropriate mechanism, such as die-cutting.

In step 640, an inner layer may be prepared. Step 640 may comprisecutting or otherwise forming a textile, such as a moisture managementtextile, to a desired size and/or shape, for example, a size and shapecorresponding to the outer layer formed in step 610 and/or theintermediate layer formed in step 630. Step 640 may further compriseorienting a moisture management textile used as an inner layer in aproper fashion to transport water from the skin-facing side of themoisture management layer to the outer layer side of the moisturemanagement textile when a garment is worn. Such orientation of the innerlayer in step 640 may be particularly valuable if moisture managementlayer is a textile such as a denier differential textile thatpreferentially transports moisture in a single direction across thewidth of the textile.

In step 650 the layers prepared in step 610, step 630, and/or step 640may be aligned. For example, in step 650 holes formed in intermediatelayer may be aligned with micro-perforations formed in outer layer. Instep 660, the outer layer and the inner layer may be bound togetherusing the intermediate layer. Step 660 may comprise, for example, usinga heat press to activate an adhesive film to bond the outer waterrepellant layer to the inner moisture management layer using the waterproof adhesive layer.

In step 670 a garment in accordance with the present invention may beformed by joining the assembled outer layer, intermediate layer, andinner layer formed in steps 610-660 to other pieces to form a completedgarment. The other pieces used to join to the assembled layers maycomprise similar layered pieces or other types of pliable materials usedto form a garment, such as a jacket, shirts, pants, shorts, etc., to beworn by an individual. Any one or more joining technologies may be usedin step 670, such as stitching, gluing, seam taping, adhesives, rivets,or other mechanisms to structurally join multiple pieces together toform a single garment.

The steps of method 600 may be performed in different orders than thosedescribed herein. Further, different steps of method 600 may beperformed in parallel, or omitted altogether. If a garment is to beformed of multiple layered pieces having different water resistance andvapor permeability properties, steps 610-660 may be performed for eachpiece.

Referring now to FIG. 7, the directional possibilities of forming amicro-perforation in another layer 710 are illustrated. As shown in FIG.7, relative to outer layer 710 there may be an outside 712 correspondingto the side of the water resistant layer 710 facing away from the wearerof a garment and an inside 714 corresponding to the side of the outerlayer 710 facing toward the wearer of a garment. While a variety oftechnologies may be used to create micro-perforations, such as lasers,that do not provide any sort of a lip or other contour in the resultingmicro-perforation, other methodologies may provide a physicaldimensionality to a resulting micro-perforation. For example, if aspike, die, or other puncturing structure is used to form amicro-perforation, the outer layer 710 textile may have a lip or otherslight protrusion corresponding to the direction with which themicro-perforation was formed. For example, a micro-perforation may beformed by applying a die or other physical cutting device from theoutside 712 of the outer layer 710. A cutting implement may be directedto the outer layer 710 directly perpendicular to the surface 720, at anangle coming from above relative to when the garment will be worn 722,or from below 724. Depending upon what region of a garment amicro-perforation is to be located at on a garment, differentorientations of a micro-perforation may be preferable or undesirable.For example, in some locations puncturing angle 722 may affectivelyfunnel water running down a garment into the interior of a garment, andmight be undesirable, while in other locations such an orientation mightbe preferable as facilitating evaporation of perspiration while notbeing located at a position that is likely to receive precipitationdirectly or indirectly.

FIG. 7 further illustrates various directional punctures that may bemade to form a micro-perforation through outer layer 710 from what willultimately be the inside 714 of a garment. For example, a perpendicularangle 740 may be used to form a micro-perforation, an approach fromabove perpendicular 742 may be used, or an approach from belowperpendicular 744 may be used. Once again, it may be preferable to usean approach from the inside 714 rather than the outside 712 in somecircumstances, such as to provide a structure to a micro-perforation tofacilitate the shedding of water that might be running down or strikingouter layer 710 when a garment is worn. For example, micro-perforationangle 742 may be desirable if some vapor permeability is desired suchthat a micro-perforation is desired in a region, but at the same timethe resulting micro-perforation from puncture angle 742 may providesufficient overhang that precipitation traveling down the outside 712face of outer layer 710 will not be funneled into the inside 714 and, infact, may be shed by any lip or other edge formed for amicro-perforation created using angle 742.

Further, garments in accordance with the present invention may haveadditional layers beyond those described herein. Also, garments inaccordance with the present invention may be constructed using varyingtextiles, films, and/or water proofing treatments. The configurations,sizes, spacing, and arrangements of micro-perforations and/or holes mayvary from the examples illustrated herein.

The foregoing description of examples of the present invention have beenprovided for purposes of illustration and description. It is notintended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention. Individual elementsor features of a particular example are generally not limited to thatparticular example, but, where applicable, are interchangeable and maybe used in a selected example, even if not specifically shown ordescribed.

What is claimed is:
 1. A garment comprising: a moisture vapor-permeableand water-resistant zone located at a first portion of the garment, themoisture vapor-permeable and water-resistant zone comprising at least:an outer layer comprising a textile with water-resistant properties,wherein a plurality of groups of micro-perforations are formed throughthe outer layer, and an intermediate layer adhered to the outer layer,the intermediate layer comprising a plurality of holes, wherein each ofthe plurality of groups of micro-perforations is oriented to physicallycorrespond to a hole of the plurality of holes of the intermediate layersuch that moisture vapor transported from a skin-facing side to anouter-facing side of the garment evaporates through the plurality ofgroups of micro-perforations of the outer layer; and a water-resistantzone located at a second portion of the garment, the water-resistantzone comprising at least: the outer layer, and the intermediate layeradhered to the outer layer, the intermediate layer formed without theplurality of holes.
 2. The garment of claim 1, wherein the outer layercomprises a woven textile.
 3. The garment of claim 1, wherein the outerlayer comprises a stretch woven textile.
 4. The garment of claim 3,wherein the outer layer has a durable water repellent finish appliedthereto.
 5. The garment of claim 1, wherein the plurality of groups ofmicro-perforations have a diameter of about 0.5 mm.
 6. The garment ofclaim 5, wherein the plurality of groups of micro-perforations areformed through one of a laser or a mechanical cutting process.
 7. Thegarment of claim 5, wherein the plurality of groups ofmicro-perforations are formed via a weaving process used to form theouter layer.
 8. The garment of claim 1, wherein the intermediate layercomprises a grid of adhesive film forming the plurality of holes.
 9. Thegarment of claim 1, wherein the intermediate layer comprises apolytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) film.
 10. The garment of claim 9, whereinan adhesive is positioned on a surface of the PTFE film that is adheredto the outer layer.
 11. The garment of claim 1, wherein the garmentcomprises a garment for an upper torso of a wearer.
 12. The garment ofclaim 11, wherein the water-resistant zone is located at least at ashoulder region of the garment.
 13. The garment of claim 1, wherein thegarment comprises a garment for a lower torso of a wearer.
 14. Thegarment of claim 13, wherein the water-resistant zone is located atleast at a thigh area of the garment.
 15. A garment comprising: amoisture vapor-permeable and water-resistant zone located at a firstportion of the garment, the moisture vapor-permeable and water-resistantzone comprising at least: a woven textile having an inherently openstructure, the woven textile comprising an exterior layer of the garmentwhen the garment is worn, the woven textile treated with a durablewater-repellant on at least one surface, and a water-proof film adheredto an inner surface of the woven textile when the garment is worn, thewater-proof film having a plurality of holes at least large enough topermit water vapor to pass through the water-proof film; and awater-repellent zone located at a second portion of the garment, thewater-repellent zone comprising: the woven textile, and the water-prooffilm adhered to the woven textile, the water-proof film formed withoutthe plurality of holes.
 16. The garment of claim 15, wherein thewater-proof film comprises an adhesive film.
 17. The garment of claim15, wherein the water-proof film comprises a polytetrafluoroethylene(PTFE) film having an adhesive on at least one surface.
 18. The garmentof claim 15, wherein the plurality of holes in the water-proof film areformed via die-cutting process.